Enigma Biomedical Group Signs Agreement to License Novel Neuro Imaging Biomarkers From Janssen

August 31, 2020 07:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Enigma Biomedical Group (EBG) today announced execution of a Master Development, License and Option Agreement and two Project Agreements to evaluate novel neuroimaging biomarkers from Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. (Janssen), part of The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson. These agreements permit EBG to evaluate Janssen’s PET ligands, and if such evaluation is favorable, grant to EBG an option to negotiate an exclusive license to each PET ligand. The first two (2) PET ligands EBG will evaluate are; 1. [18F] JNJ-64413739, which targets the P2Xreceptor associated with neuroinflammation and the release of proinflammatory factors, and 2. [18F] JNJ-64511070, which targets AMPA-TARP, a marker of postsynaptic plasticity. These biomarkers hold great promise to provide important new tools in the advancement of our understanding of a range of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.

If the evaluations are successful and EBG exercises its option, then EBG and Janssen will negotiate to enter into an exclusive license agreement. Once executed, EBG would be granted an exclusive license and would be responsible for the clinical development and commercialization of these neuroimaging biomarkers as diagnostic tools in return for payment of license fees, milestones and royalties on worldwide sales of any future marketed products. EBG, and its partners, Cerveau Technologies, Inc. and Meilleur Technologies, Inc. will work with their expanding circle of pharmaceutical industry partners to apply these and future technologies in association with neurodegenerative disease modifying therapy development. In the initial evaluation period, EBG and Janssen will collaborate with various members of the Enigma/Cerveau Technologies academic and pharmaceutical partner network to validate the preclinical and clinical efficacy of JNJ-64413739 and JNJ-64511070.

Lee-Anne Gibbs, President of Enigma Biomedical Group said, “This is another major step forward in enabling critical biomarker research into neurodegenerative diseases. Licensing the Janssen technology allows Enigma to continue to execute its overarching strategy to provide neuroimaging biomarkers to industry and academia to accelerate research in the understanding and treatment of these devastating diseases.”

“At Enigma, we are focused on providing information and technologies to researchers and clinicians to enable the improvement of brain health,” said Rick Hiatt, Chief Executive Officer of Enigma Biomedical Group and President and CEO of Cerveau Technologies, Inc. “We are thrilled by this opportunity to work with Janssen to foster development of these exciting technologies. Consistent with our vision, we will make these novel imaging agents, and additional imaging biomarkers which may develop from this and other collaborations, available to our pharmaceutical industry and academic partners, providing access to the broader scientific community.”

Enigma Biomedical Group Announces Appointment of Michael Reitermann to Their Board of Directors

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Enigma Biomedical Group (EBG) today announced the appointment of Michael Reitermann to their Board of Directors effective December 1, 2019.

Michael Reitermann’s passion for innovation and its commercialization has driven his extensive career in the healthcare industry. After more than 20 years with Siemens Healthineers AG, he retired from the company in September 2019. Before, Michael held the position as Managing Board Member, head of in-vitro diagnostics business and head of global commercial operations and was part of the team leading the successful initial public offering (IPO) of Siemens Healthineers.

In prior roles, he was the Chief Operating Officer for Siemens Healthineers, CEO of Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics, Inc., President of the North American commercial organization and CEO of Siemens Healthcare’s Molecular Imaging business unit. Before joining Siemens Healthcare, he was part of Siemens Management Consulting, where he lead consulting projects in the areas of benchmarking, strategy, productivity and turnaround.

Mr. Reitermann received a Graduate Degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Karlsruhe, Germany, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of British Columbia, Canada.

Lee-Anne Gibbs, President of Enigma Biomedical Group said, “The addition of Mr. Reitermann is an important evolution for our leadership team and critical to our growth and corporate positioning. We are delighted to have Michael provide his expertise and experience in supporting our mission.”

“I am looking forward to being part of the Enigma story and to help guide Enigma, and Enigma’s affiliate companies’ future strategies.” said Mr. Reitermann. “The Enigma group of companies’ unique strategy and positioning is proving to be a critical contributor in the development of therapeutic solutions used to combat neurodegenerative disease and I am personally excited to contribute to the acceleration of Enigma’s development.”

“Enigma, and our affiliate companies, are focused on providing information and technologies to researchers and clinicians to enable the improvement of brain health,” said Rick Hiatt, Chief Executive Officer of Enigma Biomedical Group and President and CEO of Cerveau Technologies, Inc. “We are thrilled to have Michael join our team and help us develop our long-term strategies and support our future direction.”

About Enigma Biomedical Group
Toronto-based Enigma Biomedical Group (EBG) enhances access to key technologies with a focus on molecular imaging and medicine. EBG offers a suite of services to the pharmaceutical industry and clinical research community to accelerate drug development and global access. EBG partners with academic institutions and universities to foster and broaden access to novel research.

About Cerveau Technologies, Inc.
Cerveau Technologies, Inc. is a collaboration between Enigma Biomedical Group, Inc. and Sinotau Pharmaceutical Group. Cerveau’s vision is to globally develop diagnostics and technology that positively impact patients with neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.

Contacts

Enigma Biomedical Group
Lee-Anne Gibbs
Lee@enigmabiomedicalgroup.com

Enigma Biomedical Group and CBD Solutions Sign Memorandum of Understanding to License Novel Investigational Tau R4 Imaging Biomarker

August 26, 2019 11:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Enigma Biomedical Group (EBG) today announced execution of an Option Agreement to license CBD Solutions’s (CBD’s) Tau R4 imaging (TR4) biomarker CBD2115 . This option is intended to lead to an exclusive license wherein EBG will be responsible for the global development and commercialization of CBD’s early stage investigational imaging agent technology, which is being evaluated for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans to assess neurodegeneration. TR4 assessment promises to provide an important new tool in advancing understanding of a range of neurodegenerative diseases such as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, Corticobasal Degeneration and other dementias.

“We are thrilled by the opportunity to work with CBD to foster development of this exciting technology. Consistent with our vision, we will make this novel imaging agent available to our pharmaceutical industry and academic partners, providing access to the broader scientific community.”Tweet this

As part of the ultimate agreement, EBG will be responsible for the clinical development and commercialization of CBD2115 in return for payment of license fees, milestones and royalties on worldwide sales of any future marketed products. EBG, and its partner, Cerveau Technologies, Inc., will work with their collective pharmaceutical industry partners to apply this technology in association with neurodegenerative disease modifying therapy development. In the initial option period, EBG and CBD will collaborate with various members of the Enigma/Cerveau Technologies academic and pharmaceutical partner network to validate the preclinical efficacy of CBD2115.

Lee-Anne Gibbs, President of Enigma Biomedical Group said, “This is an important step in accelerating critical biomarker research projects globally. Licensing the CBD technology platform allows Enigma, and its partner, Cerveau Technologies Inc., to continue to execute the collective strategy of providing biomarkers to industry and academia to accelerate research in the field of Neurodegenerative Disease.”

“We are delighted to work together with Enigma and Enigma/Cerveau’s unique academic and pharmaceutical partner network to accelerate preclinical development of CBD2115. ” said Samuel Svensson, CEO of CBD Solutions, the project leader of the technology, “Development of a selective TR4 biomarker will be a crucial tool to improve diagnosis and enabling clinical research in CBD and PSP.

“At Enigma, we are focused on providing information and technologies to researchers and clinicians to enable the improvement of brain health,” said Rick Hiatt, Chief Executive Officer of Enigma Biomedical Group and President and CEO of Cerveau Technologies, Inc. “We are thrilled by the opportunity to work with CBD to foster development of this exciting technology. Consistent with our vision, we will make this novel imaging agent available to our pharmaceutical industry and academic partners, providing access to the broader scientific community.”

About Enigma Biomedical Group

Toronto-based Enigma Biomedical Group (EBG) enhances access to key technologies with a focus on molecular imaging and medicine. EBG offers a suite of services to the pharmaceutical industry and clinical research community to accelerate drug development and global access. EBG partners with academic institutions and universities to foster and broaden access to novel research.

About Cerveau Technologies, Inc.

Cerveau Technologies, Inc. is a collaboration between Enigma Biomedical Group, Inc. and Sinotau Pharmaceutical Group. Cerveau’s vision is to globally develop diagnostics and technology that positively impact patients with neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.

About CBD Solutions

CBD Solutions was founded in 2013 with the goal to find a cure for the neurodegenerative disease Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD). The lack of research and diagnostic tools has made this a challenging task. Our vision is to assemble the best researchers in the field, to fund and support their work and ultimately find a treatment for this devastating disease.
www.cbdsolutions.se

Enigma Biomedical Group Signs License Agreement with Merck for Novel MK-6884 Imaging Agent

March 15, 2019 01:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Enigma Biomedical Group (EBG) today announced an exclusive license agreement with Merck, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, for the global development and commercialization of MK-6884, an early stage investigational imaging agent developed by Merck for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans to measure cholinergic tone change in vivo. MK-6884 has potential applications as an imaging agent across multiple neurodegenerative diseases.

“At Cerveau, we are focused on providing information and technologies to researchers and clinicians to enable the improvement of brain health”Tweet this

As part of the agreement, EBG will be responsible for the clinical development and commercialization of MK-6884 in return for payment of license fees, milestone payments and royalties on worldwide sales of any future marketed products.

Lee Ann Gibbs, President of Enigma Biomedical Group said, “This is an important step in accelerating critical biomarker research projects globally. Licensing this additional Merck technology allows Enigma, and its partner, Cerveau Technologies Inc., to continue to execute the collective strategy of providing biomarkers to industry and academia to accelerate research in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.”

“There is a critical need to develop imaging agents for the diagnosis and characterization of neurodegenerative diseases,” said Jeff Evelhoch, Vice President, Translational Biomarkers, Merck Research Laboratories. “We are pleased to work with Enigma and Cerveau.”

In an early study presented at the American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (ASCPT) 2019 Annual Meeting, Merck scientists reported that cholinergic tone alters M4 Positive Allosteric Modulation (PAM) and PET imaging with [11C]MK-6884 was able to measure cholinergic tone change. MK-6884 has a high specificity with favorable physicochemical properties and in vivo pharmacokinetics that warrant further clinical investigation as a potential PET neuroimaging agent. Merck and Cerveau are planning an open-label Phase 1 study to investigate the safety and characterize the use of [11C]MK-6884.

“At Cerveau, we are focused on providing information and technologies to researchers and clinicians to enable the improvement of brain health,” said Rick Hiatt, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cerveau Technologies, Inc. “We are thrilled by the opportunity to once again work with Merck to foster development of this exciting technology. Consistent with our vision, we will make these novel imaging agents available to our pharmaceutical industry and academic partners, providing access to the broader scientific community.”

About Enigma Biomedical Group

Toronto-based Enigma Biomedical Group (EBG) enhances access to key technologies with a focus on molecular imaging and medicine. EBG offers a suite of services to the pharmaceutical industry and clinical research community to accelerate drug development and global access. EBG partners with academic institutions and universities to foster and broaden access to novel research.

About Cerveau Technologies, Inc.

Cerveau Technologies, Inc. is a partnership between Enigma Biomedical Group, Inc. and Sinotau Pharmaceutical Group. Cerveau’s vision is to globally develop diagnostics and technology that positively impact patients with neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease.

Enigma Biomedical Group and Invicro Sign a Collaboration Agreement

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180820005366/en/Enigma-Biomedical-Group-Invicro-Sign-Collaboration-AgreementTORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Enigma Biomedical Group (EBG) today announced a collaboration agreement with Invicro, a Konica Minolta Company and a leading provider of imaging services and software for research and drug development, to work together on multiple projects, initially focusing on the enhancement of Invicro’s AmyloidIQ and TauIQ platforms. EBG will be responsible for providing data from their affiliate companies; Cerveau Technologies, Inc. and Meilleur Technologies, Inc.; novel Tau tracer (MK-6240) and Amyloid tracer (NAV-4694); respectively.

As part of the agreement, both parties will utilize the AmyloidIQ and TauIQplatforms to provide the pharmaceutical industry access to improved informatics and analytics capabilities together with a more streamlined approach to supporting neurodegenerative disease modifying therapy development.

Lee-Anne Gibbs, President of Enigma Biomedical Group said, “This is an important step in accelerating critical biomarker research projects globally and supporting our pharmaceutical partners efforts to combat neurodegenerative disease. Collaborating with Invicro’s IQ technology platform allows Enigma and our partners Cerveau and Meilleur, to continue to execute the collective strategy of providing biomarkers to industry and academics to accelerate research in the field of Neurodegenerative disease.”

Enigma Biomedical Group Signs Research Agreement with Biogen and Merck for Novel Tau Imaging Agent

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)
We today announced a research collaboration agreement with Biogen Inc. and Merck, known as MSD outside the US and Canada, for the validation and clinical qualification of an investigational imaging agent to be used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans for assessing the status and progression of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. NFTs made up of aggregated tau protein are a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.The collaboration is focused on the qualification and validation of the Tau imaging agent developed by Merck, MK-6240.“At Enigma we are focused on enhancing access to key technologies that we believe have the potential to advance human health,” said Rick Hiatt, chief executive officer, EBG. “We are excited by the opportunity to work with Biogen and Merck with the goal of expanding the availability of this novel investigational imaging agent to the broader scientific community.”

“There is a critical need for sensitive biomarkers for early in-life diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases to allow for more appropriate staging of disease states, and measuring the effect of disease-modifying therapeutics,” said Darryle Schoepp, vice president discovery, Merck Research Laboratories. “Agreements such as this represent an important platform to realize the full potential of our novel investigational tau imaging agent.”

“We hope that by advancing the scientific understanding of these kinds of tools we are able to accelerate the discovery of new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases,” said Richard Hargreaves, vice president of Global Biomarker Discovery & Development at Biogen.

In early studies published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Merck scientists reported that [18F]MK-6240 has a high specificity and selectivity for neurofibrillary tangles with favorable physicochemical properties and in vivo pharmacokinetics that warranted clinical investigation as a potential PET neuroimaging agent. Merck is currently conducting an open-label Phase 1 study to investigate the safety and efficacy of [18F]MK-6240 as a PET imaging agent for quantifying brain burden of neurofibrillary tangle pathology. For further information about the trial please go to clinical trials.gov (NCT02562989).

Enigma Biomedical Group Signs Research Agreement with McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)
We today announced execution of a Memorandum of Understanding to license Yale’s Synaptic Density Imaging (SDI) biomarker technology platform. With this license, EBG will be responsible for the global development and commercialization of Yale’s early stage investigational imaging agents using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to assess neurodegeneration. SDI promises to provide an important new tool in understanding neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Enigma Biomedical Group Signs Research Agreement with Austin Health

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)
We today announced a clinical research agreement with Austin Health in Melbourne, Australia to support multiple projects over the next several years. These research projects are for studies of an early stage imaging agent (MK-6240) to be used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans for assessing the status and progression of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. NFTs made up of aggregated tau protein are a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease.

Enigma Biomedical Group Forms Australian Subsidiary To Further Research Efforts

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)
We today announced the formation of Enigma Biomedical Australia to support it’s ongoing research projects in Australia. The current research projects are for studies of an early stage imaging agent (MK-6240) to be used in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans for assessing the status and progression of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. NFTs made up of aggregated tau protein are a hallmark of several

Enigma Biomedical Group and Yale Sign Memorandum of Understanding to License Novel Investigational Synaptic Density Imaging Biomarker Technology

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)
We today announced execution of a Memorandum of Understanding to license Yale’s Synaptic Density Imaging (SDI) biomarker technology platform. With this license, EBG will be responsible for the global development and commercialization of Yale’s early stage investigational imaging agents using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to assess neurodegeneration. SDI promises to provide an important new tool in understanding neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and other dementias.